Worcester Business Journal

14 Worcester Business Journal • June 20, 2016 www.wbjournal.com A building brand It took time, but Crompton Collective and Crompton Place began riding a ris- ing reputation as a destination within the city and even Massachusetts as Chase made us of the long reach of social media. Crompton Collective helped build a brand for the entire property that cre- ated a destination retail location, said Allen Fletcher, the first vice president of the neighborhood group Canal District Alliance, and that momentum began to snowball. "[Dino] has succeeded in creating a cluster that becomes a destination retail complex. Individual retail had a hard time surviving," Fletcher said. "Retail is difficult unless it's destination retail that will get someone to come off the highway and come in." Crompton Place now boasts a mix of shopping, service-based businesses and offices with six apartments and 18 planned in the next phase of Lorusso's development. All this success was built on the back of a brand that Crompton Collective helped create for the building that accentuates a relaxed lifestyle for those with expendable income, said Fletcher, who is pursuing a mixed-use develop- ment in the adjoining lot to Crompton Place. "It's exciting to think my dreams are essentially the same as Dino's dreams to make this a thriving place… so it's great to have people pulling in the same direction," Fletcher said. A t t o r n e y s & B u s i n e s s A d v i s o r s W W W . D A R R O W E V E R E T T . C O M R H O D E I S L A N D | M A S S A C H U S E T T S | N E W Y O R K deal·mak·ers ˈdēlˌmākər/ noun 1. (See DarrowEverett L L P) 905 Hartford Turnpike Shrewsbury, MA 01545 508-842-1213 www.elevationee.com part in boosting the ongoing revitaliza- tion of the Canal District as it moves from night-life hub to retail and dining destination and is wrapping in more housing. It is a model that Tim McGourthy, executive director of Worcester Research Bureau, feels could be successful in the effort to rebuild downtown Worcester and in many of the numerous mill and historic proper- ties around the city that have been left vacant since the decline in Worcester's manufacturing economy. Lorusso purchased the building in 2007 for $1.3 million after owning an adjacent property. He went to work not only fixing up the building but also fixing his sights on tenants that would help build his vision for mixed-use retail and residential. Ultimately, he wanted to build up a neighborhood feel that had been a huge part of his childhood. Key to that equation would be Chase, who was at the time looking for space to open up a small boutique after selling off a successful business. When Lorusso approached her with an idea for a mar- ketplace model selling antiques and locally-crafted items, it did not take long before Chase was sold on the idea and opened Crompton Collective in 2013. "He is a great landlord, and he has helped me do whatever I want to pursue," said Chase. Destination Creation >> Continued from Page 1 R E G I O N A L F O C U S: W O R C E S T E R >> Patience and accommodation Key to all this growth has been accom- modation and sheer patience on Lorusso's part. When he entered into ownership of the property, he had a clear goal in mind. While at times he had to take some ten- ants that did not quite fit the bill but paid his bills, he was always on the lookout for businesses that he felt would fulfill his vision. When he found a business he often would sweeten the pot through a rent structure that allows these startups to get more space a build a presence, Lorusso said. By also working out a deal where these businesses were started with more space than they initially were seeking, he was able to ensure that as these businesses were successful they would have the space to remain within his building, rather than leaving for a new location, he said. Synergy Arguably, Crompton Collective now has two anchor stores with the addition of Birch Tree Bread Co. in 2014. This bakery that serves up its own homemade bread, prepared food, locally roasted cof- fee and locally brewed beer hits on the same customer base and builds upon the brand that Crompton Collective created. "We complement each other, and you can make a whole afternoon of it," said Avra Hoffman, Birch Tree's general man- ager and co-owner. "We are bursting at the seams on the weekend." By having multiple stores serving the same types of customers, the location is able to draw in larger crowds, said Chase. Avra Hoffman, Birch Tree's general manager and co-owner, said all the businesses work together to support one another and pull in more customers. P H O T O / S A M B O N A C C I

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